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The camouflage vertical lines (dark brown or dark green) on the side make it look different by making it look like multiple compartments. It has a tractor bucket in the front and backside has a open top flatbed with stuff. Anyone can find a bigger photo of that display model?

Interfax-AVN - Russia has signed a contract for the modernization of one thousand T-72 tanks to India, it said in a public annual report "Uralvagonzavod".

According to the report, the implementation of the contract is a priority for the corporation in 2017. "The beginning of implementation of the contract to modernize the 1000 T-72 with engine installation V92S2

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-new ... SkdcJ.htmlSikkim standoff: China carries out military drill with tanks in TibetThe drill, which involved firing live ammunition and testing new equipment, was carried out to evaluate the battle-readiness of PLA troops at altitudes of 15000 feet and above.The Chinese Army has carried out a military exercise on the Tibet plateau, deploying tanks and conducting live firing at a height of 5,100 metres for the first time, amid a standoff with Indian forces near Nathu La in the Sikkim sector that has taken bilateral ties to a new low.The drill, which also involved the testing of new equipment, was conducted to evaluate the battle-readiness of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops at altitudes of 15,000 feet and above, official Xinhua news agency reported.The exercise assessed “battlefield environment analysis, combat operations, synergies that need to be developed during battle”, and also featured live fire shooting training and the testing of integration of military operations, the report in Chinese said.....However, a report on the Guancha website said the tanks — called Xinqingtan in Chinese — were rolled out in an area of Tibet near the Indian border, and that Beijing was increasing its military buildup in the region as “a show of force designed to deter the Indian military”.The new tank’s technology and firepower, the report said, were “more advanced than the Russia-made T-90s deployed by India”.

The PLA plans to induct up to 300 Xinqingtan light tanks. The tank will likely be used for recce and infantry support operations in mountainous terrain. Likely designation is ZTQ and the tank weighs 33 tons. An export variant of the Xinqingtan, designated VT-5, has first been revealed at an exhibition in October 2016. Both the VT-5 and Xinqingtan have reportedly been under development by China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), China’s largest tank maker.

“The VT-5 and ZTQ light tanks appear to be a downsized version of the VT-4/MBT-3,000. The VT-4 is based on the Soviet-era T-72 tank design and armed with a 125-mm smoothbore gun. “In comparison to the VT-4, the VT-5 will likely boost weaker armor and a less powerful 105mm main gun as well as engines.”

Over 2+ years ago I predicted light tanks appearing in Tibet and gave details of the latest Russian light tank which we could've acquired.We have taken some T-72s into the mountains,but one is sure that they cannot operate in all sectors.The SprutSD/SDM1,was designed by the same BMP series team,using the same chassis with a 125mm gun,weighing only 18t.This would be capable of outgunning the Chinese toy-boy.

Philip wrote:Over 2+ years ago I predicted light tanks appearing in Tibet and gave details of the latest Russian light tank which we could've acquired.We have taken some T-72s into the mountains,but one is sure that they cannot operate in all sectors.The SprutSD/SDM1,was designed by the same BMP series team,using the same chassis with a 125mm gun,weighing only 18t.This would be capable of outgunning the Chinese toy-boy.

Right. Where exactly in Ladakh do you envision that the T-72 cannot go but the Chinese 35 ton light tank can? Also this Russian light tank of yours is half the weight of the Chinese light tank, implying that the armour levels arent great. The 105mm gun on the Chinese tank would shred your Sprut fairly easily.

Philip sir, the talk on other tank forums is that this chinese light tank's basic armor can withstand only upto 12.5 mm rounds in the front arc and only upto 7.62 mm rounds in all the other hemispheres. Now please try and imagine what our well trained ground units armed with carl gustafs, other ATGMs will do to it. Not to mention the LCH with its 20mm cannon.

Sure the chinese can pile add-on armor to it... but then will it remain a 'light' tank maintaining it's current speed/mobility levels?

I wonder if we still have T 55s in reserve. we used to have hundreds of them till about 10 years back in active formations. The T 55 could use uprated engine packs from the T 72s while being a good 7-8 tonnes lighter. The uprated engines will also account for the lowered engine performance at high altitude.Armour regiments are already well versed with the 55s and there exists huge infrastructure in-country through the base workshops to support these. No need for imports

The Chinese ZTQ will follow in the concept of the US's upcoming Mobile Protected Firepower vehicle (MPF) program. These light tank companies would be attached to infantry brigades. These light tanks are to cover light infantry units while they are dismounted or screen for enemy MBT's while on the advance. The latest uparmored Abrams variant entering now in service, the M1A2 SEPv3 already weighs around 75 tons are too heavy.

The US Army told some 200 industry representatives from 59 companies what it wants in its next war machine, the Mobile Protected Firepower vehicle (MPF).

The MPF must be light and nimble enough to accompany foot troops where the massive M1 Abrams cannot go: into dense jungle and narrow streets, up mountains and over rickety Third World bridges. It must also carry enough armor to shrug off 14.5mm rounds. It must pack enough firepower to take out anything from a concrete bunkers to enemy IFV's. The air-deployable MPF would bulk up airborne brigades and other light infantry units.

The MPF will deal with opposition that might otherwise bog down large numbers of light infantry, like a bunker, Wesley said, or an older model tank like the T-55. “What we wouldn’t expect is that infantry brigade is going to fight an entire brigade of armored vehicles,” Wesley went on.

That’s what the US Army’s own armored brigades are for, and there’s no need to reinvent them. If you gave a Light Infantry Brigade enough firepower to fight Russian-style tank armies, you’d lose all the advantages that make it light in the first place: a combat force unencumbered by heavy vehicles, a force which can fit into aircraft for rapid deployment and maneuver in difficult terrain — jungles, swamps, mountains, slums — where heavy vehicles bog down.

Light tanks are just that they cant take hits even from heavy HE 105 class weapon much less from modern APFSDS or HEAT round , They bring in though heavy tank like fire power with mobility much better than armed APC would offer , if one needs protection beyond that offerd by APC class level that light tank offers then we have to rely on APS.

Avik wrote:I wonder if we still have T 55s in reserve. we used to have hundreds of them till about 10 years back in active formations. The T 55 could use uprated engine packs from the T 72s while being a good 7-8 tonnes lighter. The uprated engines will also account for the lowered engine performance at high altitude.Armour regiments are already well versed with the 55s and there exists huge infrastructure in-country through the base workshops to support these. No need for imports

Defence Acquisition Council(DAC) headed by the Defence Minister Arun Jaitley cleared projects including equipping armoured fighting vehicles(BMP) used by infantry with night fighting capabilities and Ordnance Factory, Medak will undertake the deal worth over Rs 2,400 crore. The same factory will also manufacture command and control posts for directing artillery fire and the cost is Rs 406 crores.

Defence Acquisition Council(DAC) headed by the Defence Minister Arun Jaitley cleared projects including equipping armoured fighting vehicles(BMP) used by infantry with night fighting capabilities and Ordnance Factory, Medak will undertake the deal worth over Rs 2,400 crore. The same factory will also manufacture command and control posts for directing artillery fire and the cost is Rs 406 crores.

The Chinko "half peg",in honour of the President XI Gins,will be shredded long before it can get within range of the Sprut ,as that worthy outguns it with a std. 125mm main gun compared with the Chinese 105mm gun.Since the chassis is based upon the BMP series-same designers,it could be easily manufactured by us as we have almost all features already being done so in India at our AV DPSUs,Medak and Avadi. We're producing /upgrading existing BMPs and manufacturing T-90s and upgrading T-72s,earlier made here too. The chassis appears to be slightly modified with another running wheel,but eminently possible,or even to outsmart the Chinkos,make a "Sprut" of our own,putting the pieces together.The AVs belonging to the Armata family may be too heavy for mountain warfare and our ICVs are underarmed.